Lupin: Part 4 Review

Netflix's "Lupin: Part 4" is now available on the streaming platform. Since the show's last season three years ago, viewers may have forgotten much of the story. However, the fourth part of the series starts with an extended recap narrated by the title character, Assane Diop, before diving into the action again. The most significant change is a shift towards embracing the soap opera elements that have always defined the series. This results in an eight-episode run with a brisk pace, despite some plot twists near the end.

The series concludes with a major cliffhanger, as Assane, a thief inspired by Maurice Leblanc's Arsène Lupin, finds himself in prison next to his longtime rival Hubert Pellegrini. Assane remains in prison for four years, except for a brief escape where he tricks Pellegrini into a shipping container headed to Malaysia. Upon his release, Assane seems to have turned over a new leaf, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes the target of a pair of heists. This forces Assane to go rogue to prove his innocence.

During Assane's time in prison, his son Raoul, now played by newcomer Théo Christine, has grown into a frustrated young adult seeking a father figure. Raoul's character becomes the series' unexpected heart and soul, but the narrative keeps pushing him aside until his frustrations come to a head. A complex conspiracy involving a copycat swindler, secret lineages, sudden deaths, and resurrections takes center stage, leading Lupin to form unexpected alliances with former foes in search of a secret treasure.

Throughout this eight-episode season, the show balances high-stakes plot twists with character-driven drama. The story features flashbacks showcasing the relationships between characters as teenagers and young adults, adding layers to their personal dynamics. These flashbacks also provide context for the contemporary conspiracies that form the basis of the season's main plot, the central theme being a secret society with anti-diversity beliefs.

The editing in this season is more refined, focusing on subtle clues that viewers might have missed rather than relying on quick cuts and unseen angles. The series explores themes of family and the lengths Assane is willing to go to win back time with his son Raoul while pursuing a treasure with a new family of thieves. One of these new members is a mixed-race character named Adèle Kapoor, who brings a hacker skill set to the team, updating the series with her abilities in the age of artificial intelligence and deepfakes.

While the series draws on familiar elements from various action films and television shows, its fourth part manages to subvert these influences into something fresh and enjoyable. The series oscillates between complex, convoluted plots and character-focused drama, but it finds the right balance when it truly counts. If a fifth season is forthcoming, Assane's dilemmas will likely provide compelling television.